Tony Mowbray says deals ‘fell away’ for Rovers in the January window as they failed to add any players to their squad.

Christian Atsu was a deadline day deal that almost came off for Rovers, before the winger opted to stay with Newcastle United.

Tariq Lamptey of Chelsea was another player Rovers had been given the green light to sign, only for the 19-year-old to not agree a new deal at Stamford Bridge and subsequently joined Brighton on a permanent deal.  

Those missed deals, as well as seeing valuations for permanent signings prove out of their reach, meant Rovers went through the window without making a signing, the only Championship side to do so.

Injuries have hit hard, with Lewis Holtby adding his name to the casualty list as he was forced off in the 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough.

Asked for his assessment of the window, Mowbray said: “Frustrating is the word. A lot of people did a lot of hard work and a lot of preparation work for this window.

“A lot of players we asked about, from the executives of the clubs we were talking to, were done deals.

“Then the goal posts moved. I talked about teams progressing in the FA Cup or having replays, and then that deal we were going to do couldn’t happen.

“One young player was coming if he could sort out a contract at his club, but he couldn’t get that sorted, the club refused to let him out until he signed a new deal.

“Things just fell away one at a time.

“Ultimately we were going to spend a lot of money on a Premier League footballer who was surplus to requirements because of a signing his club had made.

“His wages were way out of our league, but yet that deal nearly happened, but that player didn’t want to leave his Premier League club.

“His family situation dictated that, and we were left frustrated.

“There was a deal that done, then it wasn’t done. Clubs came in once there was an awareness of his availability and it clouded his mind.  Ultimately the clock ticked down.

“I knew by 7pm nothing was happening and I got in my car and drove to the team hotel because I wasn’t staying around.

“I don’t want to pick random names that an agent throws at you that you haven’t studied and looked at.

“I’m not interested in players that we haven’t done any homework just for a number because that’s not right for the group we’ve got.

“I’d rather put young players in. Rankin-Costello, Buckley, Travis, Nyambe, Armstrong they’re young players who have to keep going and do it together.”